The GPA have claimed that inter-county players have been portrayed as the "problem child" by the GAA.
Yesterday's release of the GAA's Annual Report showed an 11.6% increase in the cost of preparing and fielding inter-county sides.
GAA Director General Tom Ryan said the total cost of nearly €30million is one that needs to be curtailed, telling Off The Ball such an increase is "a trend that simply cannot continue".
However, the GPA have released a statement saying inter-county games allow the GAA to thrive both on the field and financially.
CEO Paul Flynn outlined, "It is disappointing for our members, that the inter-county game to which they dedicate 31 hours of their time each week, as they proudly represent their counties, is once again being presented as the GAA’s problem child.
"Far from being a problem child, inter-county games, and the players that make them the spectacle that they are, continue to be the jewel in the crown of the GAA."
Flynn goes on to call the inter-county scene a "revenue-generating machine that allows the GAA to compete with rugby, soccer and other sports for hearts and minds of the Irish public.
"Our inter-county games are the flagship promotional and developmental tool that keeps the GAA in the news and journalists, pundits, administrators, coaches, physios and all the other professionals working within the inter-county games in jobs.
The former Dublin forward added, "We have seen this ploy of painting inter-county games in a negative light used consistently to keep players down, to make them feel like they are lucky to be involved in the games.
"Make no mistake, the players, past and present, are proud to represent their counties at the highest level but the GAA is also lucky to have those players who give so much of themselves, often to their own detriment, to allow it generate the revenues that keeps the association afloat."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
